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History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

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Twenty-first century <strong>Shan</strong> mission project 156<br />

Goal # 2 Evangelism<br />

How can we do evangelism among Buddhist <strong>Shan</strong>? Accord<strong>in</strong>g to the history, evangelism among<br />

the Buddhist <strong>Shan</strong> seems to be very difficult. They are the people who have their own gods and<br />

teach<strong>in</strong>g which they have been follow<strong>in</strong>g and practic<strong>in</strong>g almost 2000 years. It is not easy for them to<br />

abandon long and old tradition and practices, which they have adopted as their culture and adopt<br />

Christian culture what we call Christian practices when they believe <strong>in</strong> Christ. They need great courage<br />

and sacrifice to confess their faith <strong>in</strong> Christ openly <strong>in</strong> their community, family and people who are<br />

Buddhists. Many face discrim<strong>in</strong>ation, persecution and excommunication or sometimes be<strong>in</strong>g disowned<br />

by family and community. It will not be difficult to make them know<strong>in</strong>g Christ because <strong>Shan</strong> are very<br />

polite and will<strong>in</strong>g to listen. Many <strong>Shan</strong> use to say, “All religions are good. It doesn’t matter what<br />

religion you follow, what God you worship.” Some even worship all k<strong>in</strong>ds <strong>of</strong> god but it will be difficult<br />

to ask them to abandon all their traditions and practices <strong>in</strong> order to become Christian. Old people use to<br />

say, “I believe but I cannot abandon Buddhism.” In the year 1978 only 0.12% <strong>of</strong> five million <strong>Shan</strong><br />

believes <strong>in</strong> Christ, takes water baptism and becomes Christians.<br />

Rev. Sai Stephen on evangelistic tour<br />

Sai Stephen had done a good job <strong>in</strong> the Eastern <strong>Shan</strong> State <strong>in</strong> the past decade. As an Associate<br />

Director <strong>of</strong> 21 st CSMP responsible for Eastern <strong>Shan</strong> State, f<strong>in</strong>ancially supported by 21 st CSMP s<strong>in</strong>ce<br />

1989. He was very committed, dedicated and active. He used to send out graduates from GCI tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />

and local evangelist tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g school to do evangelism and Church Plant<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> chosen villages with full<br />

support. We do not have many evangelists do<strong>in</strong>g evangelism among the <strong>Shan</strong>. Most <strong>of</strong> the full-time<br />

Christian workers are work<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>Churches</strong> as pastors. Very few Sem<strong>in</strong>ary graduates are go<strong>in</strong>g out and<br />

preach<strong>in</strong>g gospel to the <strong>Shan</strong> as evangelists or missionaries. We have to admit that the evangelism<br />

among the <strong>Shan</strong> is not very successful. Most importantly we have to confess that we are not filled with<br />

the Holy Spirit, we have not received the power, we do not speak with power, we do not work with the<br />

power, we do not show the power and perform miracles <strong>in</strong> Jesus’ name, <strong>in</strong> the Power <strong>of</strong> the Holy Spirit.

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